Friday, May 4, 2018

Free press is under attack in the Philippines




MAY 3rd was World Press Freedom Day.  In order for democracy to work, it is important to remind people about the role of a free press in a democracy: to inform the citizenry, to question the powerful and ensure government is working for the people.

One of the first things Philippine strong man Rodrigo Duterte did when he took office almost two years ago was to attack one of the strongest, free-wheeling  and aggressive media in Asia, if not in the world.

"Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a bitch," Duterte said when asked how he would address the problem of media killings in the Philippines. Duterte is not known for his subtlety.

At least 85 cases of attacks and threats against the press during the first 22 months of Duterte’s administration, according to a report released by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Philippine Press Institute (PPI), and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) during the presentation on the current situation of Philippine press at the “Speak Truth to Power, Keep Power in Check” forum in Quezon City on World Press Freedom Day.

Since Duterte became president, attacks on members of the media have inicreased. The attacks include 9 murders, 16 libel cases, 14 cases of online harassment, 11 death threats, 6 slay attempts, 6 cases of harassment, 5 cases of intimidation, 4 cases of website attacks, revoked registration or denied franchise renewal, verbal abuse, strafing, and police surveillance of journalists and media agencies.

Nne journalists have been killed during Duterte's term, thus far. They were killed in the course of their work, or because of their work. The list does not include journalists who were killed for other reasons.
  1. Larry Que, publisher and columnist, Catanduanes News Now
  2. Leodoro Diaz, tabloid columnist, Sapol
  3. Marlon Muyco, radio journalist, dxNDRadyoBida
  4. Rudy Alicaway, radio journalist, dxPB
  5. Edmund Sestoso, broadcaster and former chairman of NUJP, dGB 91.7 FM
  6. Mario Cantaoi, radio journalist, dzNS
  7. Christopher Lozada, radio journalist, dxBF
  8. Joaquin Briones, columnist, Remate
  9. Apolinario Suan Jr, radio journalist, Real FM

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
clamps down on critical media.
The Philippines is one of the world's deadliest countries for journalists according to report from Reporters Without Borders.

The following is a pooled editorial of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, and the Philippine Press Institute published in Rappler.

* * *
Rodrigo R. Duterte’s presidency has altered and controlled the public discourse so radically in its favor in ways rude and bold. One tragic result: it has restricted and narrowed the celebrated freedom of the Philippine press and the people’s cherished right to know.

In his first 22 months in power, Mr Duterte has earned the dubious honor of logging 85 various cases of attacks and threats on these dual values that the Constitution upholds as inalienable rights of the citizens. The number far exceeds those recorded under 4 presidents before him.

Separately and together, these 85 cases have made the practice of journalism an even more dangerous endeavor under Duterte.

From June 30, 2016 to May 1, 2018, these cases include the killing of 9 journalists, 16 libel cases, 14 cases of online harassment, 11 death threats, 6 slay attempts, 6 cases of harassment, 5 cases of intimidation, 4 cases of website attack, revoked registration or denied franchise renewal, verbal abuse, strafing, and police surveillance of journalists and media agencies.

These cases project the force of presidential power dominating the political sphere, with zealous support from Duterte allies and appointees, and their sponsored disinformation army online and off. They have hurled at members of the press insults and unfair labels, and allegations of corruption and misconduct without firm basis in fact or in law.

These cases linger amid effete efforts at solution by state agencies, and in the context of the hostile and vicious discourse against the administration's critics and the critical media.

RELATED: Philippines investigate role of Cambridge Analytica with Duterte's 'popularity'
The President, Cabinet members, and the House of Representatives have imposed and proposed unprecedented restrictions on journalist access to official news events. Congress and executive agencies have denied or delayed the corporate registration or franchises required for operation of media companies.

Some journalists and media groups have also reported police surveillance of their movement and their places of work.

Attacks on press freedom diminish not just the news media. These weaken the capacity of the news media to sustain the people’s unfettered exchange of ideas about public issues. Presidential intolerance of criticism is now a well-established aspect of Duterte’s leadership. While he is not the only chief executive who has become sensitive to press criticism, Duterte has made sure that everyone understands that misfortunes could hound and befall his critics.

And yet Duterte had promised change; his government should thus tell the people when and where change has come to fruition, and whether it has triggered better or worse results. By keeping citizens and voters fully informed about what and how those they have raised to power are doing right or wrong, a free press sustains and strengthens democracy.

That is not quite the situation under Duterte as yet. Intimidated, restrained, and threatened with consequences, the news media have been significantly constrained to report well and fully on the war on drugs, the siege of Marawi, cases of alleged corruption in high office, questions about the wealth of the Duterte family, the public debate on Charter change and federalism, the shutdown of Boracay, and not the least significant, the incursions of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Rodrigo R. Duterte has brandished the power of fear. His threats and attacks bear the full weight of his office, the highest in the land. No need to test constitutional limits. All he seems to want to do is to make enough journalists understand that they should be very afraid.

But, like fear, courage could be contagious. And unlike fear that disempowers, courage built on the power of truth and the unity of all in media is a force that empowers.

To stand firm and to stand united for press freedom and democracy, to speak truth to power and to keep power in check – this much the press owes the people. And whoever is president, the paramount duty of a free press in a democracy is to defend and uphold the people's right to know, with unqualified courage and unity.
* * *

Using the power of his office, Duterte has come down hard on the news outlet Rappler, which has bravely endured the wrath of the president and the biggest newspaper in the Philippines, The Daily Inquirer. Both outlets are still feeling the pressure but it is the smaller Rappler that has been most affected by Duterte's efforts to silent his critics.

Since February, the government has blacklisted Rappler reporters from covering Malacanang Palace. In March, the governmentcharged Rappler with tax evasion and libel. An ongoing Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of the new outlet's ownership structure could result in the outlet’s closure.
Through the numerous attacks, the courageous staff of Rappler continues to write the truth, question the powerful and make the  authorities accountable. Rappler is appealing to its readers:
When Power insists, "you're either with us or against us," the space for a diversity of voices and ideas shrinks. 
When hate and anger are weaponized, it creates a spiral of silence. 
When critical questions are simplistically equated with an anti-government agenda, it requires courage to hold decision-makers accountable. 
We launched Rappler in 2012 to marry the highest standards of journalism with technology to strengthen Philippine democracy. 
We don't want to just give you the news; we aim to promote critical thinking, self-reflection, and empathy to encourage informed decision-making. 
Help us stay free and independent of political pressure.
If you want to help press freedom in the Philippines, click here.
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